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Cardinal Virtues Cardinal virtues

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In some Christian traditions, there are four cardinal virtues: * Prudence - able to judge between actions with regard to appropriate actions at a given time * Justice - proper moderation between the self-interest and the rights and needs of others * Restraint or Temperance - practicing self-control, abstention, and moderation * Courage or Fortitude - forbearance, endurance, and ability to confront fear and uncertainty, or intimidation It was certainly taken up in Christianity, as St. Augustine, discussing the morals of the church, described them:

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In some Christian traditions, there are four cardinal virtues: * Prudence - able to judge between actions with regard to appropriate actions at a given time * Justice - proper moderation between the self-interest and the rights and needs of others * Restraint or Temperance - practicing self-control, abstention, and moderation * Courage or Fortitude - forbearance, endurance, and ability to confront fear and uncertainty, or intimidation These were derived initially from Plato's scheme (see Protagoras 330b, which also includes piety (hosiotes)) and adapted by Saint Ambrose, Augustine of Hippo, and Thomas Aquinas (see Summa Theologica II(I).61). The term "cardinal" comes from the Latin cardo or hinge; the cardinal virtues are so called because they are hinges upon which the door of the moral life swings. Plato identified them with the classes of the city described in The Republic, and with the faculties of man. Temperance was associated with the producing classes, the farmers and craftsmen, and with the animal appetites; fortitude with the warrior class and with the spirited element in man; prudence with the rulers and with reason. Justice stands outside the class system and divisions of man, and rules the proper relationship among the three of them. It may have been taken up from there into Jewish philosophy; Wisdom 8:7 reads, "She [Wisdom] teacheth temperance, and prudence, and justice, and fortitude, which are such things as men can have nothing more profitable in life." It was certainly taken up in Christianity, as St. Augustine, discussing the morals of the church, described them: For these four virtues (would that all felt their influence in their minds as they have their names in their mouths!), I should have no hesitation in defining them: that temperance is love giving itself entirely to that which is loved; fortitude is love readily bearing all things for the sake of the loved object; justice is love serving only the loved object, and therefore ruling rightly; prudence is love distinguishing with sagacity between what hinders it and what helps it. These "cardinal" virtues are not the same as the three theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity (see 1 Corinthians 13). Together, they comprise what is known as the seven cardinal virtues, also known as the heavenly virtues.